Hedwall eying another triumph at Indian Open golf

Defending champion Caroline Hedwall will return to the Hero Women’s Indian Open golf to try and extend her lease over the trophy for one more time. And to do that, she is getting her favourite caddie and her mother.

Picking Carlota Ciganda as one of the favourites for the upcoming event, Hedwall also spoke about memories of the event, spicy Indian food and the DLF Golf and Country Club.

The Hero Women’s Indian Open, now in its sixth year, carries a prize purse of $300,000 and will see top stars such as Ladies European Tour Order of Merit leader, Carlota Ciganda of Spain; the legendary Laura Davies, who won in 2010, Pornanong Phatlum of Thailand; LET winners Stacy Keating, Cassandra Kirkland and Trish Johnson.

“I have some great memories from there (the DLF Golf and Country Club) and I will bring my caddy from last year...mom!,“ said Hedwall, who won four titles last year enroute to winning the Players’ Player of the Year and the Rookie of the Year award.

Talking of her last year’s campaign, the 23-year-old Swede Hedwall said, “Actually it was a very unexpected win as I got ill in the beginning of the week last year. I felt alright when the tournament started but was pretty low on energy and I guess that helped me as I didn't have any expectations on myself. I just went out there to have some fun and got off to a good start and also had a good week with my putter!”

When asked about Indian food, Hedwall was candid: “Indian food is too spicy for me, and as I got ill last year I stayed with toast and rice for the reminder of the week. I like the garlic nan-bread though.”

The tournament is the last event before the season-ending Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.